G20 Emissions

G20 countries account for 74% of current global greenhouse gas emissions. Average annual per capita emissions are nearly 7 tCO2e. The vast majority of these, at about 8 tonnes per capita, are carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from burning fossil fuels to produce energy. If the 2°C target is to be met, global average emissions should fall to be in the order of 1-3 tCO2e by 2050, an order of magnitude lower than present.

While both per capita and overall emissions of the G20 have continued to rise, the IEA analysis of energy related CO2 emissions suggests that such growth is not only slowing, but on the verge of stopping.

Half of G20 countries no longer show growth in energy-related CO2 emissions. Among countries with high per capita emissions, Saudi Arabia and Korea, Rep. are still increasing their emissions, whereas emissions are falling in the United States, Canada and Australia. Among countries with lower per capita emissions, India, China and Brazil all have high growth rates, while emissions are falling in the EU as a whole, and in some of its member states, in particular, such as France, Italy and the UK.

For more details on emissions and emissions trends of G20 countries download individual Country Profile(s).